Wearing a Watch on the Right or Left Hand? Analysis of the Scholars

A question that is presented, and an issue that is occasionally discussed, is whether the watch should be worn on the right hand or the left? What follows is a brief analysis of the issue based upon the statements of various scholars of ahlus-sunnah.

Shaikh al-Fawzaan:

Q: “Is it better to be worn on the right hand or the left? [i.e. the watch]”

A: “In accordance to the habit, this is [an affair] from the habits and norms, a person wears it in accordance to how the society wears it [i.e. if the right hand is the normal way then so be it, and if the left is normal then so be it]”.

Shaikh al-Albany:

“The watch is to be worn on the right in following the Sunnah of the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم who used to like to do things with the right [hand or side first] in all his affairs, and this is an affair from the affairs…and it is not to be worn on the left as an opposition to the disbelievers, and Allah knows best”.

Shaikh ibn ul-Uthaymeen:

“Wearing a watch on the right hand is not better then wearing it on the left hand, because [wearing] the watch resembles [wearing] the ring closely, so there is no difference if you put the watch on the right or the left hand. However, there is no doubt that wearing it on the left hand is easier for the person in terms of looking at it and similarly it is safer on the left hand since the right hand engages in much more activity and so it is more dangerous [to perhaps damaging the watch]. The affair is one with leeway in it, so it cannot be said the Sunnah is to wear it on the right hand since wearing a ring can be done on the right or the left according to the Sunnah, and the watch is extremely similar to the ring”.

It must be noted though, some scholars have elaborated upon this affair and explained that it is not permissible for men to abuse the wearing of a watch, i.e they should not wear fanciful, beautified watches resembling bracelets and other jewellery in their appearance since that would be imitation of women.